- World’s hottest chilli proves sizzling
The heat was turned up at Garden Organic’s annual Chilli Day event this year as visitors got the opportunity to sample world’s hottest chilli, the Red Trinidad Scorpion, at the Ryton Gardens site.
Visitors who flocked through the doors proved up to the challenge as they experienced the unique stinging bite of the Red Trinidad Scorpion chilli at the Chilli Day event on Saturday 17 August. Small slither samples of the Red Trinidad Scorpion impaled onto tooth picks were available for tasting, with the Ryton Gardens staff team on hand to oversee the intensive logistical operation required for the world’s hottest chilli.
So hot to the touch, the Red Trinidad Scorpion chilli can only be handled with special protective gloves and goggles. With the same intensity as police issue pepper spray, it has been shown to burn through latex gloves in test labs and has a rating of over 2 million units on the Scoville Scale – a ratings system used to measure the pungency or spicy heat of chilli peppers.
But this did not stop an array of visitors heading to sampling tables to take on the fiery Red Trinidad Scorpion, along with various other samples from 38 different varieties available to taste and buy on the day. Around 400 chilli plants were available for sale including the popular Chocolate Habanero, Cherry Bomb, Scotch Bonnet and Jalapeno chilli varieties.
Hannah Rogers, Garden Organic Marketing Manager, said, “Our Chilli Day event has always been a hot event but this year it really did go off the scale, as we turned up the heat with the world’s hottest chilli.”
“We had a great response to the day’s activities with everyone seeming to really enjoy the event, particularly taking on the challenge of sampling the Red Trinidad Scorpion. It proved to a sizzling star attraction among a day of spicy delights.”
Bringing together chilli growers, gardeners and enthusiasts the Ryton Gardens Chilli Day event, now into its third year, is perfect for anyone with a passion for growing, eating, or simply admiring the small yet fiery chilli.
On the day stalls filled with fresh chillies, chilli plants, chilli seeds and sauces were available for people to browse, sample and buy. Visitors also had the chance to enjoy an Indian cooking demonstration and have a go at creating their own organic pizza.
A tour of the exotic gardens and talks about chillies and Garden Organic’s Sowing New Seeds project featured as part of the day’s programme. Volunteer Master Composters were also on hand for compost troubleshooting and Master Gardeners helped people to sow their own spicy salads on the day.
- RHS courses at Ryton – 10% discount for members
Are you a keen gardener, passionate about plants, and wanting to learn more?
Or do you want to start a career in horticulture, maybe thinking about a career change?
To help you develop your practical horticultural skills and knowledge, the Royal Horticultural Society offers a range of accredited qualifications suitable for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
BEST in Horticulture is an independent training company teaching the RHS theory and practical courses at Ryton Gardens on Saturdays, and at North Moreton in Oxfordshire on Thursdays.
You can study practical courses at levels 2 and 3 at these RHS Approved Centres; assessments are built-in to the weekly teaching, so that you can join the course at any stage and gain your certificate when you complete a full cycle of assessments.
Theory courses which are assessed by RHS examinations can be studied at both centres, or as distance learning through online classrooms.
Garden Organic members are entitled to a 10% discount on any of these courses with BEST. To access the discount code simply log in to the Members Area and follow the link within the Community section.
For information on joining Garden Organic click here or more details on the courses, visit www.bestinhorticulture.co.uk.
- Ryton Gardens offers summer of fun for families
As the holidays begin families are being encouraged to grab some gardening good times this summer as Ryton Gardens unveils a sizzling schedule of activities.
For parents looking for things to do that are low in cost but high in fun value, Ryton Gardens are this summer offering a range of activities designed to keep their kids entertained right through to the return to school. There is the chance to become a Garden Explorer, with all budding young botanists getting the opportunity to take an Explorer’s backpack, complete with compass, trail and bug viewer, into the gardens to discover the many wonders of the wildlife world.
A new habitat trail is also available with trail sheets offering top tips and advice on how to encourage bees and wildlife into your green space. Parents and their children can pick up their trail sheet, follow the trail, look out for the info boards and complete their sheet as they walk around the gardens.
New to the gardens this summer is the ‘Art in the Gardens’ exhibition, a fabulous collection of art exhibits by local artists including the family friendly Larmer Tree, a storytelling tree with a magic quality all of its own and a great backdrop for a fun, family photo. Alternatively whisk yourself away to the land of the giants by taking up a seat on our oversized wooden chair, another fun installation from this year’s exhibition.
Hannah Rogers, Marketing Manager at Ryton Gardens, said: ““If you want to come along for a great family day out this summer holiday that does not cost the earth, then Ryton Gardens could be just for you.
“We have put together a really exciting, educational and fun packed programme of activities that is designed to enable parents and their children to enjoy all the delights of the outdoors in our wonderful gardens setting. Getting out in the garden has never been so fabulous and fun, so why not come and join us for a green fingered grand day out this summer.”
Other attractions in the ten acres of showcase gardens that make up Ryton Gardens include The Vegetable Kingdom, an interactive, fun and fantastic visitor centre which tells the history of vegetables in the UK through 3D displays, games and exhibits. The chance to build a den, giant Connect Four and Jenga games and a large picnic area also feature as part of Ryton Gardens fun packed summer activities programme.
Admission charges for Ryton Gardens, Wolston Lane, Coventry, are: adults £5.50, children (5 to 16) £3.50, family ticket £14.50. Under, fives and members of Garden Organic enjoy free entry. -ends-
- Would you like to be a Trainee at Ryton Gardens?
We have been successful in securing funding to support a trainee at Ryton Gardens. There are 20 other gardens included in this scheme. For more information please go to
- Volunteer Gardeners Required
3rd January 2012
We are currently looking for a number of volunteer gardeners to help with a range of activities in the gardens, all ranges of experience are welcome.
Please see the attached job description for further details Volunteer Gardener Job Description
